Breakfast Meeting
November 19, 2008
7:30 am - 10:00 am
Sheraton Imperial

Thousands of US companies large and small are operating in Asia. Many have entered the marketplace to service a growing Asian customer base and compete in the domestic market. However, costs are increasing, domestic competitors are emerging and established US firms are adopting more sophisticated manufacturing strategies. Thus, the competitive bar is much higher and companies must employ best practices tailored to Asia’s unique cultural and business practices in order to succeed.

Come hear from our panel of business executives and professionals with on-the-ground execution experience in China as they address the operational, legal and financial strategies which companies are currently applying, as well as those corporate plans which have not worked and proven costly to Western firms.

Our discussions will address your questions in topics such as:

• Identifying and vetting good Chinese manufacturers

• Identifying good market assessment and competitive information in China

• Implementing successful corporate strategies in China

• Establishing manufacturing capabilities in China – either manufacturing plants or subcontracting arrangements

• Best operational practices in China; particularly human resources, supply chain and intellectual property practices

• Strategic financial planning for new and existing Chinese entities

• Profit repatriation for companies operating in China

• Transfer Pricing strategies

• Opportunities and pitfalls of engaging in cross-border commercial transactions

• Recent legal developments affecting intellectual property, export controls and investments in China

• New Chinese employment laws and the rising cost of labor

• International tax strategies to enhance overseas profitability

Panelist Include:

Michael E. Burke
Partner & Chair, China Group
Williams Mullen
Washington, DC

Ed Gwinn
Senior Advisor
East West China, Inc.
Shanghai, China
(formerly CFO for Michelin Greater China and Korea)

Sean M. King
Partner & Chair, International Tax Practice
Williams Mullen
Raleigh, NC

Thomas B. McVey
Partner & Chair, International Practice
Williams Mullen
Washington, DC

Randy Reavis
President
Tanner International, LLC
Rutherfordton, NC

For questions, call Debra Michie, Executive Director, 919.453.2997 or email acgrtp@nc.rr.com